58 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



acquired a knowledge of a greater number of species than any- 

 one else of his time. The genus Tournefortia, allied to Helio- 

 trope, is represented in the northern parts of Australia. 



I will conclude my observations with some words about 

 Dillenius, born in 1684, in Darmstadt, for some time professor of 

 botany in Giessen, then overseer of the botanic garden of the 

 brothers Shcrard in Eltham, the plants of which he described in 

 two large volumes, entitled " Hortus Elthauiensis," which I submit 

 for your inspection. Dillenius died as professor in Oxford in 

 1745- 



AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES.— A NEW RECORD. 



Atella phalanta, Drury. — This butterfly resembles the rare 

 Atella propinqua, Miskin, in colour, but is of rather smaller size, 

 and has rounded instead of angulated hind wings. The dark 

 markings of the upper surface bear a striking resemblance to 

 those of Arginnis inconstans, Butler, while the under surface 

 recalls to mind that of Messaras prosope, Fabr. Probably its 

 great resemblance to these closely allied species is one reason 

 why it has so long remained unnoticed. It is a well-known 

 si^ecies in Africa, Southern Asia, and the Malay Archipelago, 

 but has not yet been recorded from Australia. 



The specimen before me was captured by Mr. E. C. A. Bleeser, 

 at East Point, six miles from Palmerston, Northern Territory, 

 during January, 1897. He writes of it as "hovering close to the 

 ground along the outskirts of bamboo and jungle thickets, and 

 sometimes congregating about a native plum tree growing upon 

 the edge of the cliffs. When seen in the open, flying rapidly, and 

 to be met with from January to early June." 



Mr. O. B. Lower, F.E.S., writes me that he noticed an unnamed 

 specimen of this butterfly in the collection of Mr. Pater, in the 

 Adelaide Jubilee J^xhibition. He mentioned his doubts of the 

 specimen being an Australian one to the exhibitor, who assured 

 Mr. Lower that he had himself taken it at Palmerston. There 

 is, therefore, now no doubt that Atella phalanta is still another 

 new species to be added to Miskin's " List of Australian 

 Rhopalocera." 



Geo. Lyell, jun. 



Gibborne, 5th August, 1898. 



P.S.— I have to thank Mr. J. A. Kershaw for help in identifying 



the species. 



Exchange — .Australian Lepidoptera. — Dr. T. J. M, 

 Heylaerls, 1!. 215, Haagdyk, Breda, Holland, is anxious to 

 correspond with Australian collectors with a view to exchange 

 of specimens. 



